Tree stand support

ABSTRACT

A tree stand for hunting or similar purposes consisting of a platform having a side abutting against the tree and a flexible member encircling the back side of the tree at a location above the platform abutment whereby weight applied to the platform causes the platform to function as a lever firmly engaging the tree. The invention resides in the flexible upper tension member which is formed of a solid metal bar to eliminate “droop” when the tension member is not under tension, and collars affixed to the ends of the tension member bar permit the tension member to be easily and safely affixed to the platform structure in an adjustable manner to accommodate various diameters of trees.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to tree stands and the like wherein thestand platform functions as a lever to achieve stability by firmlyengaging the tree at opposed locations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Tree stands are widely used by deer hunters to permit the hunterto hunt from an elevated position out of the normal view of the deer.Also, similar devices are used by utility linemen for providing a workplatform on a pole. Some tree stands are mounted by bolts and permanentfasteners, some are ladder-type devices, and a popular model is commonlyknown as a “climbing stand”.

[0003] A climbing tree stand consists of two basic elements wherein eachelement consists of a platform having a rear portion adapted to becompressed against the supporting tree. A flexible tension member ismounted on the platform adapted to encircle the back side of the tree ata point elevated with respect to the contact point of the platform. Thetension member is so positioned to the associated platform that weightapplied to the platform causes the platform to function as a leverpivoting about the platform engagement point with the tree. Pivoting ofthe platform in a downward direction is prevented by the tension memberencircling the back side of the tree. By the use of the two climbingelements, the stand is raised, the lower element consisting of astanding platform, while the upper element includes a seat and theoperator can stand on the lower element and tilt and raise the upperelement six inches or so. The operator's weight is then applied to theupper element and the operator is able to tilt and raise the lowerelement six inches, and such alternative upward movement of the elementspermits both to be translated to an elevated position.

[0004] Upward movement of the elements is achieved by lifting andtilting the platform or seat so as to remove the tension from theassociated tension member. Previously, tension members consisted ofrope, cable, or chains which, while flexible enough to encircle the treebackside, also drooped downwardly as the associated stand element wasbeing raised. This drooping interferes with the upward movement of theelement as it catches the tree backside and the operator must reachbehind the tree and raise the tension member to overcome such droopingaction. While climbing tree stands provide excellent versatility andsafety, the tendency of the tension member to droop when untensionedproduces a highly undesirable operational characteristic.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a climbing tree standutilizing a flexible tension member which does not droop or laterallydefect under gravitational forces upon removal of the tension therefrom.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive,easily usable, high strength tree stand tension member which issubstantially free of drooping upon the release of the tension forces,and which may be inexpensively manufactured.

[0007] An additional object of the invention is to provide a tensionmember for a climbing tree stand having a safe and easily operableanchor to the stand platform which permits the operator to easily adjustthe tension member to the size of the supporting tree and wherein theoperator is able to readily observe the connection of the tension memberlock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Climbing tree stands normally include two elements, a lower footengaging platform element and an upper seat and occupant restrainingelement. Both elements attach to the tree or pole to which they aremounted and function identically, i.e. the elements constitute a leverhaving a fulcrum abutting against the tree under compression while aflexible tension member encircling the back side of the tree withrespect to the element restrains the element from downward pivotingabout its fulcrum to maintain the element in a generally horizontalposition regardless of the amount of weight being supported thereby.

[0009] The elements each include rectangulartubular members inclinedwith respect to the general plane of the elements. These tubes inclineupwardly away from the location of the associated element with the treewhereby the tension member located within the tubes encircles the backside of the tree well above the point at which the element contacts thetree under compression.

[0010] It is necessary that the tension member be flexible enough toencircle the back side of the tree, regardless of its diametricaldimension. However, as the element is moved upwardly when the tension isremoved from the tension member, it is not desired that the tensionmember droop downwardly due to gravitational forces thereon between itspoints of connection to the element. Accordingly, the tension member, inaccord with the invention, is formed of a metallic homogeneous bar,usually about at least one-quarter inch in diameter, which, whilecapable of being flexed longitudinally sufficiently to encircle thedesired tree diameter dimension, is stiff enough not to significantlydroop under the influence of gravitational forces between the locationsthat the bar is affixed to the associated element. Accordingly, thenon-drooping aspect of the tension member prevents the tension memberfrom interfering with the vertical movement of the elements, as is thecase with prior art devices, and yet the high strength characteristicsdesired of the tension member are easily achieved.

[0011] As the diameter of the tree to which the stand is affixed maywidely vary, it is important that the length of the tension member bereadily adjusted, but such adjustment must not be at the cost of safety.In accord with the invention, adjustment is achieved by swaging anenlarged collar to each end of the bar. The collar is capable of beinginserted into the end of the elements' tubes, and holes are provided inthe element tubes through which a lock pin can be inserted. The collarincludes an inner abutment shoulder or end which will engage a lock pinand prevent the end of the tension member from being pulled from theelement tubes. As the position of the lock pin is readily observable bythe operator, the condition of the lock pin is quickly ascertained andadjustment of the tension member relative to the tubes can be quicklyinitially made, and can be adjusted during the climb, if necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The aforementioned objects and advantages of the invention willbe appreciated from the following description and accompanying drawingswherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of the elements of aclimbing tree stand in accord with the invention,

[0014]FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken through a tension member alongSection 2-2 of FIG. 3,

[0015]FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the end portion of a tensionmember,

[0016]FIG. 4 is a sectional view through an element tube along Section4-4 of FIG. 5,

[0017]FIG. 5 is an elevational sectional view along Section 5-5 of FIG.4, and

[0018]FIG. 6 is an elevational view through the tension member collaralong Section 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, a typical support for a tree stand inaccord with the invention is the tree 8 upon which the lower tree standelement 10 and the upper tree stand element 12 are mounted in theillustrated relationship.

[0020] Each of the elements includes a rear inner edge 14 and a frontouter edge 16 and lateral sides 18. The inner rear edges 14 of eachelement include V-shaped sections 20 which partially encompass theadjacent side of the tree 8, and preferably, teeth or serrations, notshown, are defined on the sections 20 so that the elements will dig intothe tree in a mechanical manner.

[0021] The lower element 10 includes a pair of spaced lateral tubes 22,FIG. 1, affixed to the element above the lateral sides 18, and in asimilar manner, the upper element 12 includes upper tubes 24 attachedabove the lateral sides 18. As will be appreciated from FIG. 1, andFIGS. 4 and 5, the tubes 22 and 24 are of a rectangular configuration,usually square, and the length of the tubes are obliquely related totheir associated element such that the tube ends located above the rearedges 14 are significantly spaced above the associated element rear edgefor a reason described below.

[0022] Each of the tubes 22 and 24 includes an end hole in line with thetube interior, and the tube end holes 26 receive the ends of the lowertension member bar 30 and the tube end holes 28 receive upper tensionmember bar 32 as will be appreciated from FIG. 1.

[0023] The lower tubes 22 include a plurality of equally spaced holes 34defined on the top and bottom portions of the tubes 22, while the uppertubes 24 include aligned and axially spaced holes 36, FIG. 1, formed inthe vertical portions of the tube 24. Lock pins 38 extend throughaligned pairs of holes 34 or 36, as shown in FIG. 5, to adjustableposition the ends of the tension bars 30 and 32 as described below. Thelock pins 38 are mounted on clips or the like to prevent being withdrawnfrom the associated holes until desired.

[0024] The lower element 10 constitutes the floor of the tree standwhile the upper element 12 encircles the occupant. Accordingly, theelement 10 includes a plurality of spaced floor slats 40 affixed to thelateral sides 18 of the element 10 to define a standing platform, and aseat 42 is defined on the upper element 12, FIG. 1, and a padded seatroll 44 is preferably mounted upon the outer front edge 16 of the upperelement 12 for the comfort of the operator during climbing anddescending.

[0025] The tension bars 30 and 32 are identical, each consisting of ahomogeneous metal cylindrical core 46, preferably of high strengthsteel, and usually of approximately one-quarter inch in diameter. Thebar core 46 is stiff, but flexible, and can be readily bent around thetree 8 as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, the bar core 46 is coveredthroughout most of its length by a synthetic plastic sheath 48 whichprotects the core from moisture and weathering, and also reduces thelikelihood of the bar from reflecting light which may result infrightening the game.

[0026] Each end of the bars 30 and 32 is stripped of its cover 48 as tobe bare for several inches as indicated at 50, FIGS. 3 and 4. The coverend is indicated at 52, FIGS. 3 and 4, and as will be appreciated fromFIGS. 3 and 4, a cylindrical sleeve 54 is placed upon the bare end ofthe bare core by means of the sleeve hole 55 which closely receives thebar bare end. The swaging of the sleeve 54 upon the associated bar end50 is of such a degree as to prevent relative movement between thesleeve and the bar core within the tensile rupture strength of the barcore. The inner shoulder or end of the sleeve 54 is indicated at 56, andfunctions as an abutment shoulder for engagement with lock pin 38 asdescribed below.

[0027] In use, a lock pin 38 holding an end of a tension bar 30 and 32is removed so that the end of the tension bar can be removed from itsassociated tube 22 or 24. Thereupon, the lower element 10 is positionedto the tree 8 in the manner as shown in FIG. 1 wherein its rear edge 14and V-shaped sections 20 engage the front portion of the tree. Thetension bar 30 is then wrapped about the tree 8 and its free endinserted into the tube end hole 26 located in the lower tube 22. The endof the bar 30 is inserted sufficiently into tube 22 so that the bar 30snugly circumscribes the rear portion of the tree 8 as in FIG. 1. Thispositioning of the bar 30 will locate the end of the bar and itsassociated sleeve 54 relative to a pair of aligned holes 34. Thediameter of the holes 34, the diameter of the lock pin 38, and thediameter of the bar core 46 are so proportioned that the lock pin 38 mayeasily be inserted through aligned holes 34 in the manner as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. As will be appreciated, the lock pin 38 is locatedbetween the cover end 52 and the sleeve end 56. Tension within the bar30 causes the sleeve end 56 to engage the lock pin 38 as shown in FIG.4, and further axial movement of the sleeve 54 to the left, FIG. 4, ispositively prevented. The adjustment of the tension bar 30 is nowcompleted, and the element platform functions as a lever fulcrumed aboutedge 14 but prevented from downward tilting by tension member 30.

[0028] The upper element 12, in a similar manner, is connected to thetree 8 as shown in FIG. 1. The user then stands within the upper element12 placing his weight upon the lower element 10. In such a position, theuser can lift the upper element 12 edge 16 removing the V-sections 20from the tree 8, and removing the tension forces on the bar 32 therebypermitting the element 12 to tilted, lifted and raised upon the tree 8.Thereupon, the operator sits upon the seat pad 44 of the upper element12 causing the element 12 to bear the operator's weight and the operatorreaches down and pivots the lower element 10 edge 16 upwardly removingthe tension on the bar 32 and permitting the element 10 to be raised afew inches. This procedure is repeated until the elements 10 and 12 haveachieved the desired elevation. The operator then will sit upon the seat42 and is now in a hunting stance.

[0029] When it is desired to return to the ground level, the aboveprocedure is reversed, alternating shifting of the weight of the hunterbetween elements 10 and 12 permitting the tree stand to lower to theground.

[0030] During the above climbing or descending procedure, the removal oftension from the bars 30 and 32 does not cause these bars to “droop” atthe unsupported portions of the bars circumventing the back side of thetree 8, as is the case when the tension member is formed of cable,chain, rope, or the like. The elimination of this droop is due to thefact that the tension members 30 and 32 have a solid metal core 46causing the bars to have sufficient stiffness as to prevent suchdrooping, and in this manner, the tension member bars do not have to bemanually adjusted to overcome the droop, as is the case with other typesof tension members. The advantages derived from the use of the solidhomogeneous cores 46 of the bars 30 and 32 render the climbing standmuch easier to use, and much safer to use, as compared to previousclimbing tree stand constructions.

[0031] It is appreciated that various modifications to the inventiveconcepts may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A tree stand adapted to be supported by a tree having an outercircumference having diametrically opposed first and second portionswherein the stand includes a platform having a lower portion compressingagainst the tree first portion and an upper tree encircling flexibletension member engaging the tree second portion above the platform lowerportion to maintain the platform in a stable occupant supportingposition, the improvement comprising, the flexible tension memberincluding a solid homogeneous component resistant to drooping in adirection lateral to the length of the tension member.
 2. In a treestand as in claim 1, said flexible tension member including a solidmetal bar.
 3. In a tree stand as in claim 2, said solid metal bar beingformed of steel.
 4. In a tree stand as in claim 3, said bar having adiameter of approximately 0.25 inches.
 5. In a tree stand as in claim 3,a flexible sheath encasing said bar.
 6. In a tree stand as in claim 2,said metal bar having first and second ends operatively fixed to theplatform, said first end having an enlarged collar affixed theretowhereby said bar first end may be fixed to said platform.\
 7. In a treestand as in claim 6, said collar being swaged to said bar first end. 8.In a tree stand adapted to be supported by a tree having an outercircumference having diametrically opposed first and second portionswherein the stand includes a platform having a rear portion, a frontportion, lateral sides and tubular side elements obliquely disposedabove said lateral sides having a lower end adjacent the associatedlateral side and platform front portion, and an upper end disposed abovethe associated lateral side and platform rear portion, an access holedefined in said side element upper end in alignment with the lengththereof, a flexible tension member having ends extending into saidaccess holes and located within said side elements, said ends eachhaving an enlarged collar affixed thereto located within the associatedside element, said collars having an inner end, a hole defined in atleast one of said side elements transversely disposed to the lengththereof, and a lock pin removably received within said hole in alignmentwith the associated collar adapted to engage the associated collar innerend to prevent the tension member end being removed from the associatedside element.
 9. In a tree stand as in claim 8, said tension membercomprising a solid, homogeneous metal bar.
 10. In a tree stand as inclaim 8, said side elements comprising rectangular tubes having opposedsides, said holes comprising a pair of aligned holes formed in said tubeopposed sides, said lock pin extending through aligned holes.
 11. In atree stand as in claim 10, a plurality of pairs of holes defined in acommon side element, said pairs of holes being spaced along the lengthof the associated side element.